Waymart Borough Council hears of Route 296 bridge replacement, detour concern
Replacement of the Van Auken Creek bridge in downtown Waymart and a planned expansion of a company on Route 6 were among the topics at the March 12 Waymart Borough Council meeting.
Sherry Hockenberry, structural engineer/project manager for the firm Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLC, hired by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, went over the plans to replace the bridge. The $2,590,135 project, which is to take place in the summer of 2025, should take a couple of weeks, she said. The present bridge on Belmont Street (Route 296) will be replaced with a reinforced concrete box culvert to carry the creek, and support traffic above.
The new span will have the same horizontal alignment and similar vertical alignment with minimal approach roadway work, according to the plans. Additionally, new drainage pipes and inlets will be installed. Sidewalks and railings will be maintained on both sides of the nearly 20-foot bridge.
"We will do this with accelerated bridge construction techniques to get in and get out as quickly as possible," Hockenberry said, adding they estimate "less than two weeks."
Detour signs will direct northbound traffic to turn left on South Street to access Carbondale Road (State Route 3030) and southbound vehicles to turn right on Carbondale Road and turn onto South Street heading back to 296.
Council Vice President Jane Varcoe asked, "How are 18-wheelers going to be able to turn the corner up by the Waymart Hotel (where South Street meets Carbondale Road)? Because the pole is right at the corner." It was added that this corner is very sharp (about a 50-degree angle).
Hockenberry indicated they would evaluate that.
A resident whose property is on the north end of the bridge, west side of 296, noted that the project right-of-way goes into his yard, where his flagpole stands. Hockenberry stated that the right-of-way shown on the project map is just for a temporary easement, to give the crew access.
Questions were asked about the creek; she stated that the creek bed will not be changed.
According to the Wayne County Comprehensive Plan 2023 update, the average daily traffic in 2021 for Route 296, from Varden to Waymart was 2,900 vehicles, down from 3,200 in 2015. The data was compiled from PennDOT by planning consultant Thomas Shepstone. Belmont Street was widened in 2001 when PennDOT was planning for additional traffic when the federal prison USP Canaan was being built.
PTubes planning expansion
A letter was received from Evergreen Properties, LLC, and their current tenant, PTubes, Inc. for preliminary approval to expand PTubes' manufacturing facility on Route 6. The company makes insulated copper linesets containing refrigerants, used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
The plan is to add another 40,000 square feet on the east side of the building. The applicant will need to submit full plans for borough approval and to obtain permits, but requested confirmation that the addition will meet zoning requirements if all setbacks and rules are met.
The council was informed that the Waymart Fire Department recently visited the plant to put a contingency plan into effect. The department was told about the addition, which would be used for storage. The building itself is not considered a fire risk, the department related.
Varcoe said the project certainly will mean more jobs and tax revenue for the borough. Council President Shane Bayly asked for a motion to have the secretary send the requested letter to Evergreen Properties; the motion passed unanimously.
The facility originally was used for a printing and publishing business.
More Waymart business
The council unanimously approved changing the zoning for a couple parcels on Railroad Street from high density residential to commercial general, to conform with neighboring commercial lots. Matt Walker made the request on behalf of Waymart Milling Company, which occupies one of the lots and has been operating for over 50 years.
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Public concerns were made about a "suspicious" vehicle stopping by someone's house, a car passing a school bus stopped to let off kids, and in another case, a motorcycle seen driving on the sidewalk.
Police Chief Frederick Glivich reminded, "Everybody has to realize, we are less than part-time. We have to follow a minimal budget. We are on approximately one day during the week, and Friday and Saturday, one shift each day to meet the budget. We could use that up, probably if we started doing what we'd like to do... we'd start in January and probably end up in May."
The public was reminded to call 911 in an emergency; if Waymart Police is not on duty, Pennsylvania State Police covers the borough.
There was no further discussion about a proposed substance abuse treatment facility that would go into the former Mallard Meadows building at 186 Belmont Turnpike (Route 296) north of Route 6. An informational workshop was held March 5 at the Waymart Fire Hall addressing the ARH Medical Group's letter of intent to purchase a property. ARH Medical Group proposes to establish a live-in facility for their clients. The property is owned by KELG Real Estate, LLC and is presently used for a childcare business. The facility, which once housed a knitting company, became Mallard Meadows Residential Healthcare Center with 72 beds, and closed in 2015.
Waymart Borough Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the borough offices at 128 South St., Waymart.
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Waymart: Belmont Street/Route 296 bridge up for replacement
